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R. A. FORESMAN ASH DISPOSAL APPARATUS Original Filed Aug. 29, 1931 a Sheets-Sheet 1 11v VENTOR Rosam- R. FQREsMFRN.

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ATTORNEY 8, 1935.. R FORESMAN 2,016,323

ASH DISPOSAL APPARATUS Original Filed Aug., 29, 1931 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Reassu- FR. FOEESMRN.

A TTORNEY Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES ASH DISPOSAL APPARATUS Robert A. Foresman, Moores, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 29, 1931, Serial No. 560,199 Renewed April 11, 1934 6 Claims.

My invention relates to combustion apparatus and more particularly to ash pits for storing over extended periods of time the ash discharged from furnace structures burning solid fuel; the present application being a continuation in part of my copending application, Serial No. 553,443, filed July 27, 1931 and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.

An object of. this invention is to. provide an ash pit which is of improved, durable, simple, and inexpensive construction.

A further and more specific object is to provide an ash pit having a bottom wall formed of cast iron and divided into relatively small units or sections so as to facilitate its construction, assembly and removal.

These and other objects are effected by my invention, as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with ,the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. l is a horizontal, sectional view of my improved form of ash pit and illustrating in plan the construction of the bottom wall thereof, the section being taken on the line II of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through my improved ash pit, the section being taken on the line II-II of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken on the line IIIIII of Fig. 2 and illustrating in addition parts of a stoker-fired furnace from which the refuse is discharged;

Fig. 4: is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating in plan portions of the bottom wall of the ash pit;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line V-V of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical-sectional view taken on the line VI--VI of Fig. 1.

According to one preferred embodiment of my invention I provide an ash pit disposed in ash receiving relation with respect to a fuel burning structure and comprising upright side and end walls, and a bottom wall formed of cast iron and divided both longitudinally and transversely into units or sections which are of the most part of standard dimensions. I also provide wedging means which is disposed in between sections along the longitudinal division line for holding such sections in place.

A further feature of my invention is to arrange the sections in groups longitudinally of the pit with one group disposed at a lower level than another group so as to provide a space between the groups for placing water jets, which latter serve to direct streams of Water along the surface of the lowermost group and toward an outlet opening disposed adjacent one end of the pit. Additional jets are provided adjacent the other end of the pit for moving the ash along the surface of the uppermost group of sections and toward the lowermost group and the discharge opening.

By reason of this construction, the bottom wall is highly resistant to the abrasive action of the ash, and may be easily and quickly assembledand removed. A further feature is that by making the bottom wall of cast iron and in units or sections, a minimum number of patterns are required, thereby providing for simplicity in manufacturing operation and for low cost.

Referring now in detail to the construction illustrated, the reference numeral It) indicates a furnace of the Stoker-fired type including a grate H, and a clinker pit l2 disposed to receive the burning refuse from the lower end of the grate and to effect the consumption of such refuse before discharge from the furnace. Clinker grinder rolls it are disposed within the lower portion of the pit and serve to support the burning material and refuse within the pit and to remove gradually the refuse from the furnace and deliver it into an ash pit it disposed directly therebeneath.

The ash pit comprises upright side walls l5and i6 and end walls I! and I8 which are in efiect continuations of the side and end walls of the clinker pit and are so constructed as to prevent the infiltration of outside air.

The ash pit also comprises a bottom wall l9 formed of cast iron and divided longitudinally and transversely into sections 20. Wedges 2| are disposed between the sections along the longitudinal division line for forcing such sections toward the side Walls of the pit and holding them in position.

From an examination of Fig. 3, it will be observed that the side walls l5 and it of the pit diverge downwardly, so as to provide the maximum storage space for a given height. Also, it will be observed that the sections 20 curve upwardly from the longitudinal center line of the pit and toward the side walls l5 and I6, which structure provides for the effective movement of the ash along the bottom wall, as will presently appear.

The sections 20 are divided into groups 22 and .23 with the group 22 disposed adjacent the end 4 wall I! and the group 23 disposed adjacent the end wall 18. The group 23 is arranged at a lower level than the group 22, as shown.

That portion of the lowermost group 23 which is directly adjacent the end wall It is formed of special sections 24, 25 and 26. The center section it is divided along the longitudinal center line of the pit to facilitate assembly and removal and is provided with an opening 2'1 and passage 28 for the discharge of water and ash from the pit; The sections 24, 25, and 26 are curved upwardly and away from the discharge opening and toward the adjacent end and side walls of the pit, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to prevent the ash from arching over the opening 21 and proper of the pit is unaffected.

interfering with the free outward movement of such material.

Other than that of providing a portion of the readily removable sectionalized cast iron bottom wall of the pit, the particular features of the sections 24, 25, and 26 form no part of the present invention, such features having been disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No.

575,081, filed November 14, 1931, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.

Water jets 29 are disposed beneath the group 22 and are arranged to direct high velocity streams of water along the surface of the sections forming the group 23 and toward the dis-charge opening 22:. Any material tending to arch over such opening will be forced away from the opening and along the inclined surfaces of the sections 26, and "(it by the jets 29. Additional jets 5B are arranged within the end wali ll of the pit and are arranged to direct high velocity streams of water along the surface of the sections 29 forming'the group 22 and also towards the discharge opening 2'5. The jets it] and 3G obviously, serve to effectively move the toward the discharge opening.

The sections forming the group 23 are supported by channels 3! and 32 disposed adjacent the side walls to and H5, respectively, of the pit and by a channel 33 disposed along the longitu dinal center line of the pit. (See Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6.) It will be observed that the channels 3i and 52 are set on edge and the upper parts thereof extend into notches or cut-out portions 35 formed in flanges 35 on the sections 29. The channel 33 lies horizontal and the inside edges of the sections 2% overlie and rest thereon. After the sections are placed in position as just de scribed, the wedges H are driven between the sections, as shown, and prevent the latter from being moved.

Similarly, the sections 26 forming upper group 22 are supported and held in position bychannels 26 and 3! disposed adjacent the side walls l5 and i6, respectively, a channel is?! disposed along the longitudinal center line and the wedges 2 l.

The sections Ell, and 2 5 are assembled in the following manner: the two halvcs'of the center section as are placed in position and held by a wedge or block 39 disposed between adjacent sections 26 and the section 26. The sections 25 and 26 are disposed at eachside of the section as and are held by wedges 4% disposed between the adjacent edges, as will readily be seen from an examination of Fig. 1. From theforegoing, it will be apparent that I have devised a metallic false bottom, preferably made of cast iron, which 7 supports the ashand refuse. Since the pit bottom is made in sections arranged in end-to-end relation, the sections. being readily replaceable, wear incident to removal of ash and refuse is borne by the sections, whereby the bottom wall In addition to having a false bottom wall which is renewable and which is made'of material suitable to withstand the'wear of materials to which it is subjected, the sections are so disposed as to facilitate removal of ash and refuse by the jets. To

this end, the falsebottom consists of portions arranged in stepped formation, the portion of the lowest level communicating with the dis .charge means. and each portion being provided with jet means effective to sweep ash and refuse therefrom and toward the discharge means.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of Various changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is: V

1. An ash or storage pit comprising in combination, upright side and end walls, and a bottom wall formed of cast iron and divided both longitudinally and transversely into separate sections of standard size, and wedging means disposed bea tween the sections along the longitudinal division line for forcing the sections against the side walls of the pit thereby holding said sections in position. I

2. An ash or storage pit comprising in combination, upright side and end walls, and a bottom wall formed of cast iron and divided along the longitudinal center line of the pit into separate sections, and means for holding said sections in position comprising wedging means forcing said sections apart.

3. An ash or storage pit according to claim 2 wherein the sections curve upwardly from the center line of the pit toward the side to form a. trough-like structure.

l. An ash or storage pit comprising in combination, upright side and end walls, and a bottom wall formed of cast iron and divided along the longitudinal center line of the pit into separate sections, and means forholding said sections in position comprising means for forcing said sections outwardly from the center line of the pit and locking'means cooperating with the outer portions of said sections.

5. An ash or storage pit according to claim 4 wherein the locking means comprises notched portions provided on that portion of the sections adjacent the side walls of the pit and rigid means is provided adjacent the'side walls for engaging in the notched portions for locking the sections in position.

6. The combination with means providing an ash pit for combustion apparatus, the pit being horizontally elongated and having a discharge opening at one end, of means defining a metallic bottom structure for the pit and comprising a plurality of parallel beam members including outer beam members disposed adjacent to the side walls of the pit and an intermediate beam member; a metallic bottom including a plurality of pairs of transversely-aligned sections, each pair of sections having the outermost ends thereof resting on the outer beam members and the innermost ends thereof resting on the intermediate beam member; and means for fastening the outermost ends of the sections to the outer beam members and requiring transverse movement of the sections incident to fastening and unfastening thereof, the innermost ends of the sections of each pair being spaced apart, when the outermost ends are fastened to the outer beam mem-- bers a sufficient distance to provide for the required fastening and unfastening movement of thesections, and spacing means arranged between the innermost ends of the sections of each ROBERT A. FORESMAN; 

